Reviews, Rants and Rambles from a mom and pre-published author

HEA After A MOMENT OF CLARITY

Hi there! Today I’m celebrating because the last installment of Karen Stivali’s Moments in Time series, Moment of Clarity, has been released! You all know I’ve been following this New Adult M/M romance from the beginning, and I was getting anxious for Collin and Tanner to find their happy ending. Whew! I am a satisfied gal, now. For those who want a single paperback edition, that’s out too. Yay!

About the book:
Spending the summer together on Fire Island brought Collin and Tanner closer than ever, but back in their conservative college town, challenges confront them at every turn.

As they search for their new normal in their old environment, Collin’s brother Sean surprises them with help when they need it most. But when word about their relationship gets out, trouble erupts with friends and family. When Collin’s relationship with Tanner becomes an issue in his brother’s custody battle and Tanner struggles with his feelings for a heartbroken Wendy, Collin wonders if everyone he cares about would be better off without him in the picture.

In order to save them both, Tanner must make it clear to Collin that their love for each other is all that matters.

My Review:Trepidation: a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen.

I’ll admit to a bit of trepidation regarding this third installment of the Moments In Time series. I adored the first book. Loving Collin’s first foray into a relationship with *gasp* his roommate, Tanner, a bisexual. The Gay hate from his family when his mother learned was rough, but not as rough as the lack of communication in book two which almost broke Collin and Tanner up for good.

Still, reading the blurb on book three and knowing I was walking into more coming out drama and possibly a love triangle with a weepy Wendy wishing Tanner would choose her, again, plus Collin’s brother struggling to keep custody of his kids against his homophobic ex….well, I was mighty trepidatious.

Silly me!

This book is a whole lot of YES! though this is mostly at the end…

Return to college is problematic thanks to a dorm “fire” that dislocates Collin and Tanner from their private room into a gymnasium with fifty other students. Moving in with Collin’s brother and his three kids is a better option, until his adulterous ex pitches a fit on “moral” grounds. Leaning on Wendy is a bad option–she is still angry that they didn’t tell her what a sleazeball her boyfriend was over the summer, and she’s not quite sure letting Tanner go was the best choice. In that she has a partner: Collin.

Yeah, see, Tanner and Collin get outed on campus, and the homophobic backlash is suffocating their relationship. They do get some assistance, but Collin’s sure Tanner can have a normal life if only he wasn’t tied down to a dude. Bisexuals can love either sex, right? Saint Collin makes some heavy-handed decisions which end up being mostly a train wreck of epic missteps and lead to an HEA that is tender and honest. Plus, his cry for help actually makes life easier for everyone. Who knew?

I thoroughly enjoyed this end to the series, and the whole set. The three novellas are filled with fast-paced plots, deep feels and some seriously smokin’ sexytimes. It’s good stuff, and I’m glad I didn’t let my trepidation get in the way of enjoying a great conclusion.

Moments in Time – Series Paperback

Contains books 1, 2, and 3 – Moment of Impact, Moment of Truth, and Moment of Clarity. Find it on Dreamspinner’s website.

Haven’t read books 1 and 2? Then hurry up as Moment of Impact and Moment of Truth will be on sale for 99 cents for a limited time (May 5 -18).

Moment of Impact
Outside Collin Fitzpatrick’s dorm room is a dangerous place. Beyond his door the students of his small, conservative college think he’s straight, as does his Catholic family who’d disown him if they learned the truth. Inside, he’s safe with his incredibly sexy roommate Tanner D’Amico. Their room makes a perfect place to hide away and fall in love.

The moment they cross the line from roommates to lovers, Collin becomes caught between their heavenly passionate encounters and the hellish reality that someone might find out and destroy everything. Tanner’s not used to being so confined, and wants to show the world how much he loves Collin. But Collin’s not sure he’s ready for the impact stepping outside will make.

Moment of Truth
Collin expected to spend another summer fixing cars and working at the college pizzeria. Instead, he’s living in a beach house on Fire Island, waiting tables at a hip seaside restaurant and, for the first time since he and Tanner got together, they can publicly be known as boyfriends. Being “out” takes some getting used to, but with the help of new and old friends, Collin is happier than he ever imagined. And more in love. But newfound freedom brings unexpected challenges, and when friends get flirty, old insecurities arise. Moments of doubt and jealousy threaten their happiness, and Collin and Tanner must confront the truth or risk losing it all.

Want more? Moment of Silence and Moment of Fate, featuring secondary characters in Collin and Tanner’s story, will be released in late 2015 and early 2016.

About the author
Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies, and fictional British men. She’s also the multiple award-winning author of contemporary and erotic romances. Her lifelong fascination with people has led her to careers ranging from hand-drawn animator, to party planner, to marriage and family counselor, but writing has always been her passion. Karen enjoys nothing more than following her characters on their journey toward love. Whether the couples are m/f or m/m, it’s guaranteed that Karen’s novels are filled with food, friendship, love, and smoking hot sex—all the best things in life.

When Karen isn’t writing (and often when she is), she can be found on Twitter attempting witty banter and detailing the antics of her fruit-loving cat, BadKitteh. She loves to hear from readers (and other writers), so don’t hesitate to contact/follow/like her at Twitter, Facebook, or her website.